Article coiling method and apparatus



Feb. 14, 1961 J. F. HOBBINS ARTICLE COILING METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1957 Feb. 14, 1961 J. F. HoBBlNs 2,971,300

ARTICLE COILING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 :una

INVENTOR. JAMES f /M//YS Feb. 14, 1961 J. F. HOBBINS ARTICLE coILING METHOD AND APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 4, 1957 MAN MQ MQ MMR MN ,U p A A mW-MIL IN VEN TOR.

,4/1455 E f/o// Feb. 14, 1961 J. F. HoBBlNs 2,971,300

ARTICLE COILING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4. 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. JAW/5 E //0//V5 Feb. 14, 1961 J. F. HoBBlNs 2,971,300*

ARTICLE COILING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

JAMS E '/O//V raf/VE X J. F. HoBBlNs 2,971,300

ARTICLE COILING METHOD AND APPARATUS Feb. 14, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 4, 195'? /g'g ZI,

4 'm' INVENTOR. JAMES' f." /O//VS Unit@ James F. Hobbins, 1102 Bloomdale Road, Philadelphia 15, Pa.

Filed 1311.4, 1957, ser.' N0. 632,545

21 Claims. (Cl. 53-24) Ihis invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for coiling flexible articles or pads.

While the method and apparatus of the present invention have been primarily developed Vand employed for use in operating upon sanitary napkins of the external type, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is understood that such disclosure is intended as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, and that the invention is capable of very wide application, for use in conjunction with many varied products, all of which applications are intended to be comprehended herein.

As is well known to those versed in the art, sanitary napkins of the external type are now commercially available in a coiled or rolled condition. While it has been attempted to coil the napkins by automatic equipment these attempts have been unsuccessful for several reasons. For example, it has heretofore beenimpossible to coil the napkins with suflicient speed, uniformity, compactness and reliability to economically justify the use of such equipment. Hence, it now remains common practice to coil the napkins by hand prior to their being wrapped.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an extremely simple and eflicient method of coiling articles, whereby articles are rapidly, uniformly and reliably coiled into highly compact rolls.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of coiling articles wherein the need for cores, either attached to or separate from the articles, is entirely eliminated, and the completely rolled articles are substantially solid across their diameter without a central void or opening, to thereby occupy a minimum of space and effect substantial economies in storage and transit without deformation out of their normal configuration.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus` for use in practice of the instant method, which apparatus is entirely automatic, durable and reliable in operation, simple in construction, requiring a minimum of parts, and relatively inexpensive to produce and maintain. i

-It isl still another object of the present invention to provide apparatus having the advantageous characteristics of the preceding paragraph, which is adapted to roll articles of various sizes and shapes, and is extremely versatile for use `with articles of widely varying characteristics, such as flexibility, hardness and surface texture.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part 'of this disclosure. c c' The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of ele` ments and method steps, which will be exemplified in the following description, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended` claims.`

`In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing `alparatus 2,971,300 Patented Feb. 14, 1961 icc of the present invention adapted to roll or coil articles in accordance with the instant method, parts of the ap-i paratus being broken away for clarity of understanding;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevational viewl taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along ythe line 7--7 of Figure 1;

Figures 8-16 are fragmentary elevational views illustrating the successive stages in the rolling or coiling method of the present invention as practicedby the apparatus of Figure l;

Figure 17 is a partial front elevational View showing a slightly modified form of apparatus for rolling articles in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 18 is a partial elevational view similar to Figure 17, but showing a slightly later stage in the rolling method;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an element of the apparatus of Figure 17 removed therefrom;

Figure 20 is a partial sectional view, taken substantially along the line 20-20 of Figure 17, and considerably enlarged for ,clarity of illustration;

Figure 21 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 21--21 of Figure 20; and

Figures 22, 23, 24 are fragmentary sectional elevational views showing successive stages in the rolling method of the instant invention as practiced by the apparatus of Figure l7. i

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Figure 1 thereof, the apparatus of the present invention is there generally designated 30, and is adapted for use in conjunction with a wrapping machine 31, schematically illustrated in dot-and-dash outline, which wrapping machine may be of thegeneral type disclosed in my copending patent application Serial Number 619,834, filed November l, 1956.

The article coiling machine 30 includes a generally vertically disposed supply hopper or magazine 32 for holding articles to be coiled, feeding means 33 for removing articles from the hopper, an article coiling mechanism 34, and transfer means for removing coiled articles from the coiling mechanism and transferring the articles to the wrapping machine 31.

More specifically, the coiling apparatus 30 may'irbV therewith, isanlupwardly facing channel`41 having up- .standing front and rearwalls 42 respectively located adjacent to and spaced from the front and rear bed walls 40. A generally vertically disposed, laterally extending mounting wall orplate dSfhas its lowerlregion extendingralongandriglidly securedgas by fasteners T48, tothe rear upstanding wall"42 of channel 41. A reinforcing strut or brace 16 may be secred between ari" upper rei gion of the plate 45 and a fixed support (not shown). The mounting plate 45 may be of generally rectangular configuration, see Figure -1, being substantially laterally coextensive-with the bed 38, and is formed in its upper region adjacent to the hopper 32 with a cutout 47.

. A housing 50 is ixedly mounted on the upper side of the channel 41 in the region beneath the mounting plate cutout 47, see Figure 1, and may include a generally horizontal bottom wall 51, bolted at 52 tothe channel all, and parallel spaced, upstanding front and rear walls 53. Thus, the housing 50 may have its upper end and opposite sides open. Located directly above the housing 50 are a plurality of generally horizontal, laterally extending, parallel support members or rails 56. The rails 56 are fixedly secured together in forwardly and rearwardly spaced relation by a crossbar 55 and are rigidly supported above the housing 50 by struts 57 and 58 ixedly secured between the rails and housing walls 53. The upper edges or surfaces of the rails 56 are relatively smooth and substantially coplanar; and, the rail end portions 59 adjacent to the coiling means 34 have their upper surfaces curvedsmoothly upward, as at 6i).

As will appear presently, the rails 56 define the bottom of the supply hopper 32. The sides of the supply hopper or magazine 32 may be vformed by a plurality of vertically extending angle members 63, see Figure 4, and arranged in complementary relation over the rails 56 to form the corners of the magazine for receiving therebetween a stack of horizontally superposed napkins or other articles 64. Further, the vertically disposed corner pieces 63 of the hopper 32 are adjustably supported on the mounting plate 45 by brackets 65. That is, each of the brackets 65 Vis adjustable laterally by pin-in-slot connections 66 to move the leftward pair of corner pieces 63 toward and away from the rightward pair thereof to accommodate napkins of different lengths and to sup- `:port the stack of napkins at a desired location on the rails 56. l A

In addition, each of the brackets 65 includes a forwardly projecting arm 67 which carries a pair of adjacent, front and rear corner pieces 63 by means of pinn-slot connections 68 which enable the corner pieces to be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly. By this latter adjustable connection, the magazine corner pieces may be located relative to each other to accommodate napkins or other articles of different widths and may also be located relative to the rails 56 to properly position the stack of articles on the rails. It will now be understood that the rails 56, being arranged beneath 'the magazine defining corner pieces 63, serve to form a bottom for ythe hopper 32. As best seen in Figure l, the lef'tward hopper pieces 63 have Ytheir lower ends 69 located adjacent to and spaced only slightly above the upper surfaces of the rails56, while the rightward hopper pieces 63 have their lower ends 70 spaced appreciably above the upper surfaces of the rails and combine with the latter to define a hopper outlet opening. leftward hopper pieces 63 have their lower ends 69 spaced above the rails a distance yless than the thickness of an a'rtlcle 64, while the rightward hopper pieces have their lower ends 70 spaced above the rails a distance at least approximately equal to the thickness of an article. Thus, the hopper 32 is formed with an opening in irs'lower rightward region, as seen in Figure 1,' between the edge 70 and rails 56, through which the lowermost napkin 64 of the magazine stackmay be moved out of the hopper.

A generally horizontal lshaft 73 Vextends Vforwardly and rearwardly through the walls 53 of housing 50, 'and through-the'V rear vmounting ,wall or plate 45. As best seen in Figure, 3, the shaft 73is rotatably supported in the walls 53 andu45, and has itsV front end extending forward beyond the front wall 53 and fits rear end extendingrearwardly through the wall 45! vMounted for ro-V tation with the shaft 73 von the `front endfthereof is an 4 sprocket wheel 75 is keyed or otherwise fixed on the rear end of the shaft for rotation with the latter. Within the housing 50 are mounted on the shaft 73 for rotation therewith a transmission member or spur gear 76 and an actuating member or cam 77. In Figure 3 it will be observed that the gear 76 and cam 77 are mounted in the housing 50 adjacent to the front and rear housing walls 53, respectively.

Fixedly secured on the forward or inner face 0f the rear housing wall 53, adjacent to the upper edge thereof and in the region of the cam 77, are a pair of vertically disposed, facing guide members 7S, see Figure 6, which combine with each other and the intermediate region of the rear wall 53 to define a vertically disposed upwardly opening guideway or channel. A slide member or block 79 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in the channel defined by guide members 78 and is provided on its forward side with a cam follower or roller 89 in engagement with the upper edge region of cam '77. Thus, vertical reciprocation of the slide member 79 is effected by rotation of the cam 77 'with the shaft 73. In Figure `3 it will be seen that the slide member 79 has its upper portion 83 offset inward by a forwardly extending horizontal portion 84 which defines an upwardly facing shoulder 85. Fixed on theV upper end ofv the forwardly offset upper slide member portion 83 is a generally horizontally disposed carrier block 86.

A feed member or shoe 87-is superposed on the vertically movable block 86 and formed on its underside with' a downwardly facing channel 88 extending laterally of the apparatus and slidably receiving the carrier block to constrain the shoe to lateral sliding movement relative to the block. Also provided on the shoe 87 are a plurality of upstanding, parallel, forwardly and rearwardly, spaced tins or blades @which are disposed in alternate relation with and spaced between the rails 56. The upper edges of the shoe walls or fins 89 are roughened as by a grit coating or serrations, see Figure 6.

On the forward side of the front housing wall 53, in the lower region thereof, see Figure l, is located an arm 92 which has one end pivotally connected to the front housing wall by a forwardly and rearwardly extending' pin 93. The other end of the arm 92 is provided with a cam follower or roller 94 for `rolling engagement with the peripheral edge of cam 74. A forwardly and rearwardly extending, generally horizontal shaft 96 is mounted in the housingV 50, adjacent to the left side thereof as seen in Figure l, and is provided on its forward end in front of the housing with an arm 95 having oneV end fixed to the'latter shaft for rotation therewith. A link 97 has its opposite ends pivotally connected to the distal t or swingable` end of the arm 95, and to the swingable More particularly, the f end of the arm 92 adjacent to the camtfoilower 94. Hence, motion of the cam follower is transmitted through the link 97 to effect rotation of the arm 95 about the axis of shaft 96. Located betweenthe walls 53v of the housing 5@ is an arm 93 which has its lower end fixed to the shaft 96 for rotation therewith and has'its other end 'extending upward beyond the housing walls.' YThe upper end of the arm 98 is connected'by a link 99 to a leftward portion ofthe shoe V87; Vand, a tension spring lill), or other suitable means, may be connected to .the just described linkage, as between the arm 98 and .strut 57,V to maintain the cam follower 94 in rolling engagement with the-cam 74. It will now be appreciated. that upon rotation of the shaft/73 causingfrotation ofthe cam 74, the camfollower arm 92 will be oscillatedabout yits pivotal vaxis 93. The arms 95 and 98 .are rigidilyv Vconnected together for rotation about the axis ofthe shaft 96 in the manner of a' first order lever, so that oscillation of the arm'92 is transmitted to the arm. 95 through the link 97, and oscillation of the arm 98 is transmitted through the link 99 tothe shoe 87. In this man ner, lateral,Y horizontal,reciprocation oftheshoe 87 is effected by rotation .of the shaft 73, t

A As the shoe 87 is carried by the slide 79 for vertical reciprocation with the latter upon rotation of the shaft 73, it will be apparent that the shoe is actuated both vertically and horizontally. Further, the actuating cams 77 and 74 are so configured and arranged that the shoe 87 is afforded quadrilateral motion, being elevated so that the roughened upper edges of the tins 89 are above the rails 56, then being shifted rightward as seen in Figure 1, then being lowered with the upperl n edges below the upper rail edges, and subsequently being shifted generally horizontally leftward to complete a cycle of motion.

A forwardly and rearwardly extending, generally horizontal shaft 102 is mounted in the housing 50, to the right of the Vertical slide 79 as seen in Figure 1, and carries for rotation therewith a plurality of parallel forwardly and rearwardly spaced feed wheels or discs 103. The discs 103 are all substantially identical, and each includes a generally circular main portion 104 concentric with the shaft 102, and a radially projecting segment or ear 105, which ears are in forward and rearward alignment with each other. As best seen in Figure 4, the discs 103 are arranged in alternate, spaced relation with respect to the rails 56 so that the radial sectors or segments 105 extend into the spaces between the rails upon rotation of the discs. Further, the radial disc segments 105 have their outer arcuate edges 106 grit coated, serrated or otherwise roughened and located slightly above the upper edges of the rails 56 in their uppermost position. A gear or driven member 107 is also carried ,on the shaft 102 for rotation with the discs 103; and, an idler gear 108 is rotatably mounted in the housing 50 in meshing engagement with the gear 76 and gear 107 to effect rotation of the discs 103 in timed relation with respect to rotation of the shaft 73, and consequently in timed relation with respect to the quadrilateral motion of the shoe 87. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the outer roughened edges 106 of the disc segments 105 engage with the undersurface of the lowermost article 64 when the latter has been initially shifted by the shoe 87 to further feed the article. Thus, the article feeding means generally designated 33 includes as components thereof the cooperating shoe 87 and discs 103.

Mounted on the wall 45 rearward of the shoe 87 and hopper 32 is a generally L-shaped stack clamping member 90. In particular, see Figure 3, the clamping member 90 is pivoted to the mounting wall 45 by a bracket 91 fixed to the latter wall and includes a lower leg 101 extending forward from the bracket and terminating in a free end seated or bearing on the upwardly facing shoulder surface 85. `Fixed to the lower leg 101 and extending upward from the rearward region of the latter for pivotal movement therewith is an upstanding leg 102a which has its upper region offset forward toward the space between'the right and left rear magazine members 63. A clamping plate 109 is carried by the upper region of the leg 102a, for movement therewith into and out of the magazine 32; and, resilient means, such as a coil compression spring 110 is adjustably connectedv mounted for rotation about the forwardly and rearwardly` extending, generally horizontal axis of a` shaft 112, see Figure 1. ln Figure 2 it is seen that a pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, upstanding journal supports or pedestals 113 and `114 have their lower ends respectively fixed to the front channel wall 42 and rear bed wall 40.

The horizontal shaft 112 extends rotatively through the mounting plate 45 and is rotatably supported in the upper ends of the pedestals or standards 113 and 114. On the rearward end of the shaft 112, which extends rearward beyond the rear standard 114, is tixedly secured a sprocket wheel 115, while an additional sprocket wheel 116 is carried by the shaft between the rear standard and mounting plate 45. The drum or carrier 111 includes a generally circular rear plate or disc 117 concentrically circumposed about the shaft 112 between the front standard 113 and mounting 45, and which is provided with a forwardly extending central hub 118 keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft. A cylindrical peripheral drum wall or rim 119 extends concentrically about the shaft 112, spaced radially beyond the plate 117, and may be rigidly connected to the plate and hub by radially extending ribs or spokes 120, see Figure 1. The exterior surface of the drum cylinder 119 is advantageously roughened by a coating of metallic grit or other suitable means.

A pair of segment shaped ange plate-s or Wall members 123 are fixedly secured at diametrically opposed locations on the rear side of the drum cylinder 119 and extend radially outward beyond the latter. Similarly, a pair of segment shaped ange plates or wall members 124 are arranged at diametrically opposed locations on the front side of the cylindrical drum wall 119 and fixedly secured to the latter by any suitable means 125 so that each front flange member 124 is xedly secured in forwardly spaced, facing relation with a respective rear ange member 123.

Also mounted in diametrically opposed relation on the rearward side of the drum 111 and extending radi ally beyond the cylinder 119 are a pair of resiliently yieldable, segment shaped anges or wall members 127, each located contiguous to and on the counterclockward side of a respective flange 123, as seen in Figure l. On the forward side of the drum 111 and extending radially beyond the cylinder 119 are a pair of diametrically opposed, segment shaped, yieldable flanges 128, each arranged in forwardly spaced, parallel confronting relation with a respective yieldable rear ange 127 and on the counterclockward side of a respective front flange 124.

In particular, see Figure 2, each of the yieldable anges 127 include a mounting plate 129 xedly secured in chordal relation on the rearward side of the drum cylinder 119 and adjustably spaced from the latter by an interposed, replaceable shim or spacer plate 130. The chordal plates 129 may be secured fast to the drum and intermediate shims 130 by threaded fasteners or the like (not shown). Each flange 127 further includes a main plate 131 having its inner edge swingably connected, as by hinges 132,A to the outer edge of the respective chordal plate 129, and having its outer portion 133 extending radially outward beyond the cylindrical drum wall 119 and forwardly offsetover the latter. The radially outward, forwardly offset flange portion 133 is of generally segmental configuration and has its circular outer edge disposed radially outward beyond the circular o uter edge of the adjacent segmental shaped `liange 123, see Figure 1. Suitable resilient means, such as springs 134, see Figure 2, may be associated with the i hinges 132 to maintain the outer flange portion 133 forward or inward toward the drum 111 while permitting the latter ange portions to yieldably and resiliently swing rearward or outward away from the drum. As best seen in Figure l, the radialedge of the outer portion 133 of each flange 127 adjacent` to arespective Y iiange 123 is feathered or beveled at 135.

139 extending inward through, spacer shims `140 Vandf into drum lugs 141. An outerplate 142 is associated with each chordal plate'138 and has its inner end swingt i ably connected by hinges 143 to the outer edge ofthe age'rnsoo 9 upper side of the hinged plate 179, anda coilcompression spring 196 is circumposed about the rod to resiliently maintain the latter in bearing engagement with the plate 179 and urge the latter into its limiting position of swinging movement toward the drum. That is, the spring biased rod 195 yieldably and resiliently urges the plate 179 counterclockwise about its pivotal connection 178 toward the limiting position with stop member 181 engaging with guide plate 155.

Located internally of the drum cylinder 119 and associated with each pair of confronting drum walls 123, 127 and 124, 128, is an ejector mechanism 199. Each such ejector includes an open-ended generally radially disposed slideway defined by a pair of parallel guide members 200 secured fast by any suitable means to the forward face of hub plate 117 in the region adjacent to the feathered edges 135 and 146 of wall members 127 and 128. A pair of diametrically opposed slide members or bars 201 are arranged radially within the drum 111, each being longitudinally slidable in a respective slideway 200 and carrying a roller or cam follower 202 projecting rearward beyond the disc 117, see Figure 2. A pair of parallel spaced ejector plates 203 are arranged longitudinally and in front of each slideway 200, and are rigidly secured to each other and to the ladjacent slide member 201 by a pair of tie members or pins 204. The iixedly secured pair of ejector plates 203 are substantially identical and each is formed with an enlarged radially outer portion 205, best seen in Figure 1. In registry with each pair of ejector plates 203, the drum cylinder 119 is formed with a pair of through slots 206. It will now be appreciated that the ejector plates 203 combine with the slide bar 201 to move as a unit between a radially inward or retracted position with the inner end of the slide bar adjacent to the hub 118, and a radially outward or extended position with the plates 203 projecting through the slots 206 beyond the cylindrical drum wall 119.

Resilient means, such as a tension spring 209, is connected between each pair of plates 203 and a part of the `drum 111 remote from the plates to yieldably and resiliently urge the plates to their retracted position. In order to extend or project the plates 203 through their slots 206 beyond the drum cylinder 119, a cam member 210 is fixed, as by bolts 211, to the rear mounting wall 45 and shaped for engagement with the followers or rollers 202 upon rotation of the drum 111 and of the ejector mechanisms 199 with the drum. In particular, the cam 210 is shaped to engage with the rollers 202 and extend the ejector plates 203 when the latter approach their rightmost position, as seen in Figure 1, against the force of a respective spring `209.

The transfer mechanism 35 is provided to remove a rolled or coiled article from between the drum flanges or wall members 127` and 128, as will appear more fully hereinafter, and transfer the rolled article to the wrapping machine 31. The transfer mechanism includes a plurality of generally vertically disposed, forwardly and rearwardly spaced catcher members or plates 214 iixedly mounted by any suitable means righ'tward of the drum 111, as seen in Figurel l. The plates 214 are shaped to have their upper ends extend leftward, as at 215, into the space between the drum walls 123, 127 and 124, 128, terminating short of the drum cylinder 119, and being there provided with upstanding lugs 216. An inverted, generally U-shaped member or yoke 217 is fixed relative to the plates 214 and has its bight portion provided with a grit coated or otherwise roughened undersurface and located in spaced relation over the horizontal plate extensions 215 spaced from the lugs 216. A plurality of forwardly and rearwardly spaced, generally parallel pusher members or plates 218 have their lower ends mounted on a horizontal, forwardly and rearwardly extending shaft 219 journaled in the frame pieces 39, and extend upward 4therefrontufor swinging movement about the shaft axis through the spaces between the catcher plates 214', their extensions 215 and lugs 216. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the parallel bars or plates 218 combine to define a pusher arm swingable through the catcher or plates 214 between their phantom position adjacent to the drum 111 and the solid line position remote from the drum.

In order to actuate the pusher arm 218, an arm 220 is fixed to the shaft 219 and depends therefrom below the frame pieces '39, see Figure l. A pair of forwardly and rearwardly spaced mounting plates 221 are fixedly secured lto and depend from the frame pieces 39, respectively, beneath the wrapping machine 31; and, a shaft 222 extends forwardly and rearwardly between and is journaled in the mounting plates 221, and had its rear end extending beyond the rear mounting plate, see Figure 2. A cam 223 is carried on the shaft 222 for rotation therewith; and, an arm 224 is mounted at one end for rotation about the axis of a shaft 225 extending between the mounting plates 221, and carries a follower or roller 226 at its other end adapted for engagement with the peripheral edge of the cam. By a link 227 pivotally connected between the arms 224 and 220, see Figure l, rotary oscillation of the latter arm, and consequently of the pusher arm 218, is effected. As the link 227 is adjustably pivoted to the arm 220, by the pin in slot connection 228, the amplitude of rotary oscillation of the pusher arm 218 may be varied or adjusted, as desired. Resilient means, such as a tension spring 229, may be connected to the arm 220 to resiliently maintain the cam follower 226 in engagement with the cam 223.

Also mounted on the shaft 222 for rotation therewith is a sprocket wheel 232 which is adapted to be driven by suitable drive means (not shown). A sprocket wheel 233 is carried on the rearward end of the shaft 222, behind the rear mounting plate 221; and, a drive chain 234 is trained over the sprocket wheels 233 and 115 to transmit rotary motion from shaft 222 to the shaft 112. Similarly, a drive chain 235 is trained over the sprocket wheels 116 and 75 to transmit rotary motion to the shaft 73.

As a safety precaution, an electric switch 238 may be provided on the mounting wall 45 behind the magazine 32 with an actuating member 239 extending forward into the magazine, see Figure 3. The stack of articles 64 in the magazine 32 serve to depress the switch actuating member 239 until the stack reaches a level below the switch. At this time, the switch actuating member will move forward and open the operating circuits to stop the apparatus.

As is apparent by reference to my copending patent application Serial Number 619,834, filed November l, 1956, the wrapping machine herein `designated 31 includes an open frame 240 adapted to receive an article `to be wrapped, a supply roll of'wrapping material 241,

rollers 242 for feeding a web of wrapping material from the roll 241, and a cutter 243 for severing the desired length of wrapping material located infront of the frame 240. In addition, a pivotally mounted actuating member or finger 244 extends toward the drum V111 into the pathof movement of rolled articles carried on the drum for deflection by the latter. Deflection of the finger 244 by a rolled article serves to advance the web of wrapping paoer to position a sheet in front of the frame 240, as is described in great detail in the above mentioned copendingpatent application.

In operation, a stack of articles to be rolled, such as the sanitary napkins 64. are arranged in horizontal, superposed relation in the hopper 32, with the lowermost napkin 64 seated on the bottom wall of the hopper, as dened by the smooth upper edges of the bars or rails 56. A sufficient number of articles is stacked in the hopper to depress the switch actuating member 239 rearward and permit rotation of the main drive shaft 222. As men- 11 toned hereinbefore, rotation of the latter shaft'eifects simultaneous rotation of the drum shaft 112 and feed shaft 73. The latter shaft by its cam 77 effects'vertical oscillation of the slide'79and by its cam 74 effects horizontal lateral reciprocation of the shoe. In this manner the shoe is afforded the above mentioned quadrilateral motion, wherein the frictional upper edges of ribs 89 move upward beyond the rails 56 into engagement with the underside of the lowermost napkin 6d, then shift right-A ward frictionally carrying the lowermost napkin with the shoe to its position of Figure 8 with the advance or rightward portion of the napkin extending out of the hopper beneath the pressure plate 156. The shoe ribs 89 then recede below the edges of rails 56 and return leftward to complete a feed shoe cycle of the quadrilateral motion.

When the shoe 87 is lowered after lateral shifting of the lowermost article 64 partially out of the hopper 32, which occurs upon lowering of the slide 79, the arm 191 of clamping member 90 which bears on the slide shoulder 85 is swung downward by the force of spring 116. 'Ihis swings the upper arm portion 102 and clamping plate 1119 into engagement with the next lowermost article 64 and adjacent superposed articles to clamp the same against falling movement in the hopper. By this means, the lowermost articles 64 is allowed to be further withdrawn from the hopper without the resisting force of the stack resting on the lowermost article.

When the advance portion of the lowermost napkin 64 lies beneath the guide plate 150 and over the rotary feed wheels 1193, the feed wheel extensions 105 pass upward and between the guide rails 56, and their roughened outer edges 1% move upward beyond the upper edges of the rails to frictionally engage with the underside of the lowermost pad and slide the latter along the underside of relatively smooth guide plate 150. An intermediate stage of feed wheel operation is illustrated in Figure 9, wherein the pad designated 64b has its advanced portion extending beyond the end portions 59 of the rail 56 and into the space between the outer surface of drum-111 and the arcuate guide yplate 155.

As is well known, sanitary napkins or pads are usually of soft flexible material and oblong or elongate configuration. In addition, sanitary napkins are conventionally provided with flexible end flaps 250 and 251, which may be folded to overlie one face of the pad. As 'best seen in Figure 8, the pads 6d may be stacked in the magazine 32 with the flaps 250 and 251 of each pad folded to overlie their upper pad face; and more particularly, the rearor trailing end flap 250 may be swung to extend forward and partially overlie the front or leading end ap 251 which extendsrearward beneath the. trailing `end ap 250 of the lo-wermost article 6d frictionally engaged with the underside of the adjacent upper pad so that the flap 250 is lextended slightly rearward upon ter flap moves forward with the lowermost pad while ,j

the free flap end remains stationary relative tothe stack with the lowermost pad sliding relative to its trailing end flap. A'slightly later stage of this condition is illustrated in Fig. 9, wherein the trailing'end flap. 2505 is .further extended behind the rear -end of the pad 64b. As

Y Figure l0, wherein the pad there designated dc has been conveyed from the position of pad 64b in the Figure 9 by the feed wheels 103 to place the advance portion of the pad betweenthe drum .111and guide plate 155, and fur-` ther lconveyed so that the pad is squeezed between the;

12 drum and guide plate with its undersurface in non-slip vfacing engagement with the outer surface of the drum and its upper side in sliding facing engagement with the underside of the guide plate. In this condition, the nonslip engagement of the drum with the underside of the pad effects movement of the pad with the drum to Vextend the advance pad portion 252e beyond the guide member end 180, whereupon the advanced pad portion is free to expand and turn or extend slightly upward, as best seen in Figure l0. It will also be observed in Figure 10 that the trailing end flap, designated 250e in this position, is gradually stripped from its adherence to the underside of the formerly adjacent pad 64, and is thereby further extended behind the pad 64C. When the trailing ap is completely extended, the clamping member 90, see Figure 3, may release its clamping engagement with the stack of pads and allow the same to fall to the rails 56, which occurs simultaneously with elevation of the shoe 87. If the trailing end flap 250 in Figure 8 should tend to adhere to the upper side of its own pad 64 and slide along the underside of the next upper pad 64, it will engage with the lower edges 70 of the rightward magazine members 63 and be extended rearward by the latter upon the above described pad movement.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the advance portion 252C of the pad 64e is released to expand away from the drum 111 when it has passed the guide plate 155, and is further turned away from the drum by the slight retarding force of the guide member on the upper side of the pad. Thus, the advance portion 252C of the pad 64o is directed away from the drum 111 into engagement with the plate 179. If necessary, this engagement of the advance pad portion 252e with the plate 179 will be aided by the dog 187. That is, should the advance pad portion 252e tend to move circumferentially with the drum 111, rather than outward from the latter, the dog is located in the path of the pad movement and is hook-shaped or curved to direct the advance portion outward into engagement with the plate 179. Should the advance pad portion 252e tend to turn too sharply away from the drum 111 it will engage lthe relatively smooth surface portion 183 of .the

plate 179 and slide along the latter surface into nonslip engagement with the roughened frictional surface 182 adjacent to the dog 187. The smooth initial portion emergence beyond the guide into ,non-slip engagement with the frictional surface 182 adjacent toand on the counterclockward side of the dog 187.

With the advance pad portion 252e ,in non-slip engagementwith the plate surface 182 andthe pad further conveyed vby frictional engagement of the dru1n111 withone faceof the pad, the plate surface 18,2 serves to retard or-hold the advance pad portion against movement ,withthe drum. As seen in Figure 11, this initial retarding action of theV plate 179 has turned the advance pad portion designated 252d into facing engagement with a pad portion 253dimmediately adjacent to the advance pad portion. It will also be noted in Figure Vl1 that the outwardly turned, advance pad portionV 252d is compressed by the retarding plate V179 into firm frictional engagement with the adjacent pad portion 253d to compress the latter and dene thereof an abutment or wall 254 for retaining the padportion 252d against sliding movement relative Vto the pad portion 2536i. That is, the

Vturned-backV pad portion 252d is held firm against the adjacent'V pad portion 253:1 by the force of spring 1,95 holding rod' 195 against the swingable plate 179;

The turned-back portion 252@ is thus held in non-slip relation with theV immediately adjacent pad portion 25341',

either by depression into the latter or frictional engage--l Ament therewith, or both, so that to further convey the unturned-back pad Vportion by frictional engagement with in S are considerably wider than the fully coiled pad 64g. `This",insures thatpads of dffferent lengths will all termitheir rollingmovement directly over an ejector. -the drumicontinues rotation and the resiliently yieldfable wall members'127 and 128 carry a` fully coiled warticlefurther,beyond the r'etarding member end 175,

e 13 l one face thereof, and simultaneously effectscoiling of the pad about its turned-back portion and rolling of the coiling pad along the non-slip, retarding surface 182 of the plate 179. During this simultaneous rolling and coiling of the pad, the coiled pad portion is held rmly between the facing, non-slip surfaces of the drum 111 and retarder plate 179; and further rolling movement of the coiling pad along the retarding plate serves to deflect the resiliently yieldable dog 187 upward out of the space between the facing non-slip surfaces to permit the coiling pad to pass beyond the dog, -as illustrated in Figure 12.

In the last mentioned figure, the coiled portion of pad 64e has advanced just beyond the dog 187 and allows the latter to return into the space between the facing, frictional surfaces of drum 111 and retarder 179 against the upper surface of the pad. If the leading end iiap 251e should by mis-operation adhere to the frictional surface 182 of the retarder member 179, this return of the astiene dog 187 through the retarder member serves to strip the leading end flap from the latter member. As the drum 111 continues rotating serving to coil the pad about its initially turned-back portion 252e and roll the pad along the non-slip surfaces of the plates 179 and 174, the dog 187 will engage with the trailing end flap `250e and insure its complete extension rearward from the pad.

This continued coiling and rolling of the pad is illustrated in Figure 13; and, such coiling and rolling terminates only when the coiled pad 64j reaches the free end 175 of the `retarder member 174. At this time the pad is completely coiled and the trailing flap 2501 is rolled `about thecoiled pad with its distal end portion 257i located adjacent to the outer drum surface.

` lt will also be noted, see Figure l, that the lowermost ,pad 64 enters into its facing engagement with the drum 111 at an open or unwalled region 148 of the drum. By this `means it is` assured that entry of a pad onto the `drum will not be frictionally or otherwise resisted, and thatenteringpad will not be misalgned on the drum. Initial coiling and rolling of a pad on the drum takes place on aregion of the drum between a pair of fixed, .confronting `wall members or flanges 123 and 124 on opposite sides of the drum which are spaced apart so as Ito engage with the side edges of a pad during coilingto limit the axial dimension of the finally coiled pad. As the pad continues coiling and rolling on the retarder members 174 and 179 and on the drum 111, counter-rotation relative to the latter, it` moves into endwise frictional engagement between a confronting pair of resiliently yieldable drumilanges or wall members 127"and 128; and, the completely coiled pad is carried by "the latter mwall members, being frictionally` retained therebetween,

.when it lmoves beyond theV retarder member fend 175.

Restriction `of pad distention during coiling by the flanges 123 and `124 and the feathered or beveled radial edges .135 and `121-6 of the confronting wall members 127 and permit the smooth rolling movement of the coiling pad into frictional endwise engagement between the lf ter wallmembers. Ofcourse, pads of widely different lmay be accommodated by changing the size of or spacers employed in mounting the wall members 12,3, `124,127 and 128 on the drum 111.

When the ad and its trailing end ap are fully coiled rolling motionf of the pad terminates by movement t reof beyondtheretarding member end 175, the coiled "islocated between a pair of frictionally holding wall mbers 127 endlZS directly over or radially` outward `arrejector `mechanism 199. It will be observed, say

Figure 14, that the enlarged ejector plate end portions `14 the ejector 199 adjacent to the coiled article is actuated by the cam 210 to shift the ejector plates 203 radially outward, as seen in Figure 14. The radially outer edges of the ejector plates 205 engage with and shift the fully coiled pad 64g radially outward away from the drum cylinder 119. As the coiled pad 64g terminates its rolling with the trailing flap end 257g inward against the outer surface of the drum' cylinder 119, and as the ejector plates 203 engage with the end portion of the trailing end flap, as in Figure 14, uncoiling of the trailing end ap is effectively prevented.

yFrom the position of Figure 14, the completely coiled pad 64h is carried upon rotation of the drum 111 into feeding engagement on the upper side of the catcher 214, see Figure l5. As is apparent fromFigure 4, the catcher extensions or plates 21S are interleaved with the pusher members or plates 218. When a coiled article 64h is deposited on the catcher extensions or arms, the ejector plates 203 are also interleaved with the catcher and pusher arms.

The pusher arm 218 then swings toward the right to push the coiled article 641' along the catcher arms 215 through the inverted U-shaped member or yoke 217 and into the wrapping machine 31. The roughened undersurface of the bight portion of the yoke 217 frictionally engages with the coiled article during movement through the yoke to rotate the latter approximately and thereby shift the free end of the outer article convolution 257i dened by the trailing end flap, to the underside of the article. In this condition, theV article engages a wrapping sheet 258 andis inserted into the wrapping machine. Referring now to Figures 17-24, wherein are illustrated a slightly modified apparatus and method of the present invention, rolling apparatus generally designated 401 in Figure"17 includes a hopper 32 defined by vertically disposed angle members 63 adjustably mounted on a fixed vertical mounting plate 45 to accommodate different size articles 64, and a plurality of parallel spaced, laterally extending rails 56 lixedly mounted beneath the lower open end of the hopper elements 63. A feed shoe 87 is mounted beneath the hopper 32 for quadrilateral `movement in the same manner as the feed shoe of the first described embodiment, and has roughened upper edges engageable with the under surface of the lowermost article in the hopper to eject the same partially out of the hopper. Adjacent to the feed shoe 37 are rotary feed wheels 103provided with radial extensions having roughened outer edges and movable upward between the rails 56 for frictional conveying engagement with the underside of a lowermost article partially ejected from the magazine elements 63. A rotary carrier or drum 111 is mounted adjacent to the discharge end of the rails 56, and is formed with a rough or high friction external cylindrical surface. Mounted in the cylindrical carrier or drum 111 for rotation therewith are a pair of diametrically opposed ejector mechanisms 199, only one being shown in Figure 17,` which are successively actuated by a fixed earn 210 to project radially outward through the drum 111, and are resiliently biased inward to the illustrated position. Provided at diametrically opposed regions on the drum and fixedly secured thereto are confronting pairs of segmentally shaped` flanges or wall members 123 and 124 which extend radially beyond the outer drum surface on opposite sides thereof. Only one pair of confronting flanges 123 and 124 is illustrated in Figure l7. Also mounted on the drum 111 for rotation therewith at diametrically opposed regions thereof are pairs of confronting anges or wall members 127 and 128. The flange members 127 and 128 are also of segmental coniigurationextending radially from the drum 111 beyond the flanges 123 and 124 and are mounted on the drum for resiliently yieldable movement away from each other.

Only a` single pair of confronting flanges 127 and 128 are illustrated iii-Figure 17. i i Y i The elements thus far described in Figure 17 may all be substantially identical to like numbered elements of the first described embodiment.

In addition, the apparatus 301 includes a generally vertically disposed guide member 260 vertically adjustably carried exteriorly of the rightward magazine elements 63. The member 260 depends a selectively adjustable distance below the lower edges 70 of the rightward magazine elements 63, so as to determine the size of the outlet opening of the magazine, and is formed at its lower end with a smoothly curved horizontal foot 261 adapted to smoothly guide the lowermost napkin on its movement out of the magazine.

A right angle bracket 262 is fixed to the rear mounting plate 45, as by fasteners 263, and located generally over the upwardly concave discharge end 59 of the rails 56. Carried by the right angle bracket 262, directly over the feed wheels 103 and spaced above the rails 56, is a generally horizontal, relatively smooth guide member or pressure plate 265. The pressure plate 265 is located in adjacent laterally spaced relation with respect to the guide foot 261, having its edge portion 266 adjacent to the guide foot 261 curved upward for smooth engagement with a napkin leaving the hopper 32, and is mounted on the bracket 262 for vertical adjustment by means of pin and slot connections 267.

A relatively stiff arcuate guide member or pressure plate 270 is located over the upwardly concave discharge end portions 59 of the rails 56, having its inlet end 271 located adjacent to and above the discharge edge of the pressure plate 265 and curving upwardly and to the right over the discharge rail portions 59 and in convergent, facing spaced relation with an adjacent portion of the external surface of the drum 111. The relatively stiff pressure plate 270 has a smooth undersurface facing toward the rails 56 and drum 111 and is swingably adjustably mounted on the bracket 262 by a pivot 272 and a pin in slot connection 273. Thus, the plate 270 is `swingable about the pin 272 to adjustably position the plate end portion 274 toward and away from the external friction surface of the drum 111. In operation, the plate end portion 274 is located at a distance from the carrier appreciably less than the thickness of a pad, for reasons appearing presently.

Mounted on the bracket 262 over the plate 270, adjacent to and spaced from the plate end portion 274, is a horizontal, forwardly and rearwardly extending shaft 275. The shaft is mounted for adjustment toward and away from the plate 270 by a pin in slot connection 276. Mounted on the shaft 275 for rotation thereabout are a pair of parallel, forwardly and rearwardly spaced wheels or discs 277 which are formed with roughened peripheral edges and extend inward toward the drum 111 through slots 278 formed in the plate 270, best seen in Figure 21.

.It will `also appear in Figure 21 that the discs 277 are properly located and spaced by a shaft enlargement 279, an interdisc spacer 230 and washer 283; and, that the discs are frictionally but yieldably held against rotation on the shaft by a coil compression spring 281 and a retainer nut 282 threaded on the forwardshaft end to hold the spring against the washer 283.

An arcuate relatively stiff retarder member or plate 285 is formed with a roughened undersurface and located over the drum 111 with its roughened surface facing toward the roughened external surface of the drum. In particular, the retarder plate V285 has one end portion 286 adjacent to the end portion 274 of fixed plate 270, and has its other end extending generally upward and to the right for pivotal connection at 287 to the lower end of an adjustable'depending hanger bracketV 288 secured to the mounting wall 45. "Thus,the retarder member 285 extends clockwise along a portion of the -drum 111 in facing, divergent relationv with respect to the latter, and its end portion286 is 4swingable toward and awayfrom the drum about the generally horizontal,l

forwardly and rearwardly extending axis of pivot287. AV rigid extension or bar 289 is fixed to the upper or outer face of the retarder member end portion 286 and extends generally counterclockwise therebeyond over the adjacent end portion 274 of the pressure plate 270. An `adjustable stop, such as a threaded member 290, is carriedl in the projecting end of the extension 289 and engageable with the upper side of the plate 270 to limit swinging movement of the latter toward the drum 11-1. Located over the hinged or swingable retardable member 285- and arranged radially of the drum 111 is an elongate member or rod 293 which is mounted in a bracket 294 secured to the rear wall 45 for longitudinal sliding movement radially of the drum. Suitable resilient means, such as a coil spring 295 may be employed to bias the radially inner end of the rod 293 into engagement with the outer side of the retarder member 285, and Vthus resiliently and yieldably urge the latter toward its limiting position with the stop 290 engaging the fixed plate 270. For reasons appearing presently, the limiting position of retarder member 235 is adjusted so that its end portion 286 is located slightly outward beyond the adjacent guide plate portion 274 radially of the carrier 111 and spaced from the latter less than the uncompressed thickness of a pad.

Arranged over the end region 286 of the retarder member 285 are a plurality of generally vertically disposed, forwardly and rearwardly spaced wiper blades or fins 297 which are all lixedly secured at their outer edges, radially of the drum 111, to a carrier block 298. The carrier block projects counterclockwise relative to the drum 111 beyond the fins 297 and retarder member 285 to a position over the pressure plate 270 where it s pivotally mounted on the vbracket 262 by an adjustable attachment plate 299. More specifically, the attachment plate 299 is secured fast to the bracket 262 and adjustable relative to the latter radially of the drum 111 by a pin in slot 306; and, the carrier block 298 is pivoted at 301 to the attachment plate for swinging movement about a generally horizontal, forwardly and rearwardly extending axis. An abutment member bar 302 is arranged in spaced relation over the carrier block 298 and fixed to the attachment plate 299, while an elongate, preferably threaded member 303 vprojects from the carrier block 298 in spaced relation through and beyond the abutment 302 to carry an adjustable stop member or nut 304 on its upper end. Obviously, the stop member 304 is engageable with the upper side of the bar 302 to limit clockwise rotation of the carrier block 298 and blades 297 about the pivot 301 in a direction toward the drum,

while gravity normally retains the carrier and blades 'tions 286 of the retarder member 285 is provided wth'a Vplurality of parallel, forwardly and rearwardly spaced slots 291 in registry, respectively, with the fins or blades 297 to permit movement of the lower blade regions through the slots upon upward swinging movement of the retarder member. The blades or'fns 297 'are all of substantially identical configuration, and, as seen in Figure 22, are each formed along their inner edge, radially of the drum 111, with a cutout 292 remote from the plate 270 and opening through the outlet side of the respective fin. Viewed otherwise, theV inner edge cutout 292 of each fin 297 denes a radially inwardly extending ear 296 at the inlet region of each fin adjacent to the plate 270. The inner edge of each fin 297, radially of the drum 111, extending along the ear 296 and cutout 292 is advantageously relatively smooth, `for 4purposes appearing presently.

An additional retarder member or plate 307, preferably fabricated of stiff but somewhat flexible sheet material, is arranged to extend arcuately generally clockwise' about the drum 111 from the pivoted end Yof the lretarder member 285 in facing divergent relation with respect to the external surface of the drum. rIhe drum facing surface of the retarder 307 is roughened, as by the application of metallic grit or otherwise, as desired, and adjustably carried at the lower ends of the hanger brackets 28S, 308 and 309, all of which are secured to the mounting wall 45, in the same manner as the retarder member 174 of the rst described embodiment.

A ap turner, generally designated 311, is best seen in Figure 19, and includes an elongate arm 312 arranged generally horizontally between the lower region of the magazine elements 63 and the rear mounting plate 45, and has one end pivoted to the mounting plate, as at 313, to mount the arm for swinging movement about a generally horizontal, Vforwardly and rearwardly extending axis. On the other end of the arm 312, projecting forwardly therefrom, is a bar 314 of generally triangular or wedge shape in cross section. As seen in Figure 17, the bar 314 is located in the space between the outlet opening defining foot l261 and pressure member 265, and swingable generally vertically therebetween. An actuating member 315 is adjustably connected to an intermediate region of the arm 312, as by a pin in slot connection 316, and depends from the arm for engagement with the upwardly facing shoulder 85 of vertically reciprocable slide 79, which shoulder and slide correspond to those of the same reference numerals in Figure 3. Thus, vertical reciprocation of the slide 79 effects vertical movement of the bar 314 of the flap turning member 311.

Mounted in the drum 111 at diametrically opposed locations interiorly of and adjacent to the drum cylinder are a pair of permanent magnets 319, each located adjacent to and spaced clockwise of a respective ejector mechanism 199, only one magnet being shown in Figure 17. A hopper 320 for safety pins or the like is mounted on the rear wall 45 over the bracket 262, and is provided with a dispensing track 322 extending from the hopper to an intermediate region of the retarder member 285. Further, the dispenser track 322 registers with an opening through the retarder member at 323 located between the fins 297 and rod 293 for dispensing safety pins and the like into the space between the retarder member and drum 111. An electric switch 324, or other suitable actuating means, may be mounted on the wall 45 and connected to the pin dispensing mechanism 320, 322 for actuating the delivery of a predetermined number of pins toward the drum. The actuating device 324 is preferably operatively connected to the resiliently yieldable pressure member 293 as by a cross bar 32S, so that the actuating member, and consequently the dispensing mechanism 320, 322 may be operated in response to the swinging movement ,of the retarder 285 away from the drum.

For reasons which will appear hereinafter, it is preferred that the cylinder of drum 111, or at least those regions thereof adjacent to the magnets 319 be fabricated of nonmagnetic material, and also that the pin dispensing mechanism'320, 322, the retarder member 285 at least in the region adjacent to the opening 323, and other component parts adjacent to the latter opening all be fabricated of nonmagnetic material.

In the operation of the embodiment of Figures 17-24, the shoe S7 and wheels 103 function in the same manner as described above in connection with the embodiment of Figure l to shift the lowermost pad 64k to the position of Figure 17 and then to the position of Figure 18, there designated 64r. However, this embodiment does not require the stack clamping member 90, and the stack is allowed to fall by gravity as the lowermost article is removed, see Figure 18. i

During initial shifting movement of the lowermost pad 64k out of the hopper 32 by the shoe 87 in its upper position, as in Figure 17, the pad is properly directed out of the hopper outlet by the guide foot 261 into position between the pressure plate 265 and rails 56; and, the iiap unfolder bar 314 is held in the elevated position of Figure 17 by the vertically reciprocable slide 79.

Upon lowering of the shoe 87 and slide 79, the bar 314 is allowed to rest on the upper side of the pad 64r, and upon continued pad movement, as effected by rotation of the feed wheels 103, the wedged shaped bar 314 engages beneath the trailing end flap 2501' to' direct the latter upward, as seen in Figure 18. The advance portion of the pad 64r is then engaged between the rough external surface of drum 111 and smoothundersurface of arcuate plate 270 so as to be compressed therebetween and further conveyed by the drum in sliding engagement with the latter plate. To ensure that the leading'end flap 2511" is drawn back tight over the upper side of the pad, the leading end ilap is engaged bythe relatively rough edges of the yieldably rotatable wheels 277. That is, the wheels 277 frictionally engage with the leading end flap 251 to draw the latter back, if necessary, and rotate to roll along the pad when the leading end ap has been drawn back.

Upon continued rotation of the drum 111 in frictional conveying engagement with the underface of a pad to convey the latter with the drum, the advance portion of the pad 64m, designated 252m in Figure 22, moves beyond the smooth plate 270 and expands into engagement with the roughened undersurface of the resiliently yieldable retarder member 285. While the retarder member 285 is resiliently yieldable generally radially outward from the drum 111, it is relatively immovable circumferentially of the drum and therefore engages with the upper surface of the advance pad portion to retard the latter relative to movement of the remaining pad portion with the drum. This retarding action turns back the advance pad portion on the immediately adjacent pad portion. That is, the advance pad portion 252n is retarded and thereby turned away from the drum 111, initiation of this action being illustrated in Figure 23. A slightly later stage of this initial turning back is illustrated in `Figure 24, wherein the nose portion 252p has been partially turned back upon the adjacent pad p0rtion 25317.

When the pad initially enters between the retarding member 285 and drum 111, the leading end flap 251m, see Figure l22, is frictionally engaged by the undersurface Vof the retarding member and may adhere to the latter and cause improper rolling of the pad. However, as the retarding member 285 yields radially outward away from the drum upon the coiling action of the pad, and as the initially coiled or turned back pad portion rolls along the retarder member beyond the ears 296 of fins 297, the coiled or turned up pad portion is relatively thick, serving to displace the retarder 285 radially outward, and is received in the cutout 292 of the tins while the ears 296 project radially inward beyond the-'retarder to insure that the leading end tlap is stripped or removed through its entire length from the retarder, as at 251n and 251p in Figures 23 and 24. Of course, continued movement of the pad with the drum serves to extend the entire rear end flap 25e) upward between the foot 261 and bar 314, as in Figure 18, so that further movement of the pad draws the rear end flap in its fully extended position trailing behind the pad.

When the pad has been coiled beneath and rolled along the yieldable retarder 285 so as to raise the retarder and rod 293 a predetermined distance, the switch 324 in Figure 17 is actuated to operate the hopper 320 and 322 and dispense a desired quantity of pins into the space between the retarder and drum. At this time, the coiled portion of a partially coiled pad is located in engagement with the retarder between the opening 323 and pivoted retarder end, and the uncoiled pad portion is located directly below the retarder opening. Also located approximately directly below the retarder .opening at this time is one of the magnets 319. Hence,l upon the delivery of pins through the retarder opening 323, the pins will be magnetically held on the upper side of the uncoiled pad portion and subsequently wrapped between adjacent convolutions of the fully coiled article. The above-mentioned nonmagnetic components aid in proper operation of the pin feeding and magnetic holding thereof, whereby the delivered pins may be oriented as desired on the uncoiled pad portion and held thereon until subsequently secured between adjacent convolutions of the pad. Of course, any articles may be delivered by the .feeding means 320, 322, if desired, and additional material, such as written instructions or the like, may accompany the articles so fed.

Further coiling of the pad and rolling along the retarder member 307, and ejection of the coiled pad from the drum 111 is eifected in substantially the same manner as described herebefore in connection with Figures 1-'16.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is not intended to limit the method of the present invention to the rolling of sanitary napkins having end flaps, or even to the rolling of any kind of sanitary napkins, as the present invention is equally well adapted for rolling any iexible pad wherein it is possible to hold the initially turned back portion in non-slip engagement with the immediately adjacent pad portion, either by frictional engagement between the turned back and adjacent pad portion or by formation of an abutment wall, as described hereinbefore.

VFrom the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an apparatus and method for coiling exible articles, which fully accomplish their intended objects and are well adapted to the practical conditions of manufacture and use.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of rolling a pad of flexible res'iliently compressible material, which comprises: engaging one face of said pad, conveying said pad by said engagement along and compressed against a guide, conveying said pad by said engagement beyond said guide to expand the advance portion of said pad and engage the latter with a slip-resistant surface facing toward the other face of said pad, further conveying said pad by engagement with said one pad face and with said advance pad portion in non-slip engagement with said slip-resistant surface to turn the advance pad portion into rm slip-resistant engagement with said other pad face, and additionally conveying said pad by said engagement and with said advance pad portion in said slip-resistant engagement to helically coil said pad and roll the same along said slipresistant surface.

"2. In the method of coiling a soft flexible pad, the steps which comprise: conveying said pad by applying a conveying force to said pad along one pad face, conveying said pad by said force along and compressed against a guide, further conveying said pad by said force beyond said guide to expand the forward pad portion, applying a retarding force to said expanded forward portion of said pad during said conveying to turn the forward pad portion back upon an intermediate portion of said pad in engagement with the other pad face, and holding said turned-back pad portion in frictional engagement with said intermediate pad portion to prevent movement of the former portion relative to the latter portion during application of said conveying and retarding forces.

3. In apparatus for coiling a flexible pad, the combination comprising a movable carrier having one surface adapted to engage with one face of and convey said pad along the path of movement of said carrier, a guide 1ocated facing said one carrier surface and spaced from the latter a distance less than the thickness of a pad to compress the latter upon movement between said carrier and guide, movement of said carrier to convey said pad beyond Said. guide effecting expansion of the advance portion of said pad, means located along the path of movement of said carrier rearward of said guide spaced from and facing toward said one carrier surface for engagement with the expanded advance portion of said pad being conveyed, whereby said means acts to turn back the advance portion of said pad when the latter is conveyed by said carrier.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, said means including a holding member yieldably and resiliently biased toward said carrier path -to maintain said turned-back pad portion in firm non-slip engagement with the adjacent pad portion, whereby said carrier upon continued movement along said path serves to coil `the pad about its turned-back portion and roll the pad along said relatively immovable member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, said means including a yieldably retractable deliector mounted in the path of pad movement with said carrier and shaped to deflect the advance portion of said pad into engagement with said holding member, said deilector being retnactable out of the path of pad movement by said pad upon said with wall members on opposite sides of and carried by said carrier located to frictionally engage with opposite sid-es of the coiled pad when the latter is rolled beyond said holding member, whereby said wall members retain said coiled pad on said cam'er.

S. Apparatus according to claim 7, in combination with an ejector mounted for movement outward through said one carrier surface and between said side pieces for displacing a coiled pad away from said carrier.

9. Apparatus for coiling a soft flexible pad, said apparatus comprising -a carrier mounted for movement along a path and having a friction surface adapted to engage with one face of and frictionally convey a pad along said path, a guide mounted along said carrier path `and having a relatively smooth surface extending in convergent facing relation with said carrier surface in the direction of carrier movement and terminating at a distance spaced from said carrier surface less than the thickness of said pad, said Aguide serving to compress a pad being conveyed by said carrier( in the space between said guide and said carrier and effect expansion of an advance portion of a pad extendingbeyond said guide, and a retarder mounted along said carrier path adjacent to the terminus of said guide and having a friction surface facing toward and spaced from said carrier friction surface for frictionally engaging with and turning back the expanded advanced portion ofa paid being conveyed from the space between said guide and carrier into the space between said retarder and carrier, whereby continued movement of said carrier serves to coil said pad about its turned-back portion and roll said pad along said retarder surface.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in combination with wall members on opposite sides of said carrier located to friction-ally engage with opposite ends of a coiled pad when the latter is rolled beyond said retarder, whereby said wall members retain a coiled pad on said carnier.

1l. Apparatus according to claim 10, in combination with an ejector mounted for movement outward through said carrier friction surface and between said wall members for displacing a coiled pad away from said carrier.

l2. Apparatus according to ciaim 9, in combination with means resiliently mounting said retarder for yielding movement away from said carrier, whereby said retarder holds said turned-back pad portion rmly against the adjacent pad portion.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, in combina-tion 13. Apparatus according to claim 9, in combination with a deliector arranged in the space between said carrier and retarder and mounted for yieldable retraction out of said space, said deflector being shaped and arranged to engage with and deilect the advance portion of said pad entering the space between said carrier and retarder into non-slip engagement with said retarder, said deector being retractable out of the space between said retarder and carrier by said coiling and rolling of said pad.

14. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said retarder surface is spaced from said carrier surface in the region of pad entry between said surfaces a distance less than the uncompressed thickness of said pad, to insure frictional retarding of the advance pad portion by said retarder surface.

15. Apparatus `according to claim 9, in'combination with means for successively feeding pads betweensaid guide and carrier surfaces for conveyance by the latter, said feeding means comprising an upstanding hopper for containing a stack of said pads with the lowermost pad resting on the bottom of said hopper, and means for shifting the lowermost pad edgewise from said hopper into facing engagement with said carrier surface for conveyance by the latter.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in combination with means for holding the next lowermost pad and successive upper pads of said stack against falling when the lowermost pad is shifted out of said hopper.

17. Apparatus for coiling a pad of soft flexible material having end flaps overlying one pad face, said apparatus comprising a carrier mounted for movement along a path and having a frictional surface adapted to engage with the other face of and frictionally convey said pad along said path, a guide mounted along said carrier path and having a relatively smooth surface extending in convergent facing relation with said carrier surface in the direction of carrier movement and terminating at a distant spaced from said carrier surface less than the thickness of said pad, said guide serving to compress a pad being conveyed by said carrier in the space between said guide and carrier, a retarder mounted along said carrier path adjacent to the terminus of said guide having a frictional surface facing toward and spaced from said carrier frictional surface for frictionally engaging with and turning back the advanced portion of a pad being conveyed from the space between said guide and carrier ,into the space between said retarder and carrier, continuing movement of said carrier serving 'to coil said pad about its turned-back portion and roll said pad along said retarder surface, and means for extending the trailing end ap rearward behind said pad before the latter passes beyond said guide, whereby said ap defines the external convolution of said coiled pad.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, said llap extending means comprising a movable member located ahead of said guide and adapted to rest on said one pad face for engagement beneath said trailing end ap upon movement of said pad.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17, in combination with frictional elements extending through said guide and engageable with the leading end ap to draw the latter firmly against the leading end of said pad upon movement of the latter through the space between said carrier and guide.

20. Apparatus according to claim 17, in combination with the means for resiliently mounting said retarder for yielding movement away from said carrier, and relatively smooth wiper means engageable through said retarder surface to strip the leading end flap from the latter surface as the advance portion of said pad is turned back. i

21. Apparatus for coiling a soft flexible pad, said apparatus comprising a carrier mounted for movement along a path and having a friction surface adapted to engage with one face of and frictionally convey a pad along said path, a guide mounted along said carrier path and having a relatively smooth surface extending in convergent facing relation with said carrier surface in the direction of carrier movement and terminating at a distance spaced from said carrier surface less than the thickness of said pad, said guide serving to compress a pad being conveyed by said carrier in the space between said guide and said carrier, a retarder mounted along said carrier path adjacent to the terminus of said guide and having a friction surface facing toward and spaced from said carrier friction surface for frictionally engaging with and turning back the advanced portion of a pad being conveyed from the space between said guide and carrier into the space between said retarder and carrier, con-tinued movement of said carrier serving to coil said pad about its turned-back portion and roll said pad along said retarder surface, an ejector mounted for movement outward through said carrierl friction surface and between said wall members for displacing a coiled pad outward and away from said carrier, an upwardly facing relatively smooth catcher xedly positioned in the path of movement of said outwardly displaced coiled pad for engaging beneath and supporting the latter, a pusher mounted for movement along said catcher and engageable with a coiled pad supported on said catcher to push the pad along said catcher out of the space between said wall members, and a slip-resistant turning member fixedly positioned in spaced relation above said catcher and engageable with a coiled pad being pushed by said pusher to elTect angular displacement of said pad.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

